Jump to content

David Arkenstone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David Arkenstone
David Arkenstone
David Arkenstone
Background information
Born(1952-07-01)July 1, 1952(age 72)
Chicago,Illinois, U.S.
GenresNew-age,electronic,ambient,celtic,game music
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instrument(s)Keyboards, guitar
Years active1987–present
LabelsQDV,Windham Hill,Narada
Websitewww.davidarkenstone.com

David Arkenstone(born July 1, 1952) is an American composer and performer. His music is primarily instrumental, with occasional vocalizations. Most of Arkenstone's music falls intonew agecategory; however, he also worked in other genres, including even aheavy metalsoundtrack forEmperor: Battle for Dunevideo game. His music has been described as 'soundtracks for the imagination'. Throughout his career, Arkenstone released over 50 albums and composed music for video games, includingWorld of Warcraft,and for television, including NBC'sKentucky Derby.Arkenstone has been nominated for Grammy Awards five times.

Biography[edit]

After moving from Chicago to California at the age of ten,[1]he was involved in various high school bands playing guitars and keyboards, playing baseball in his spare time. He studied music in college and started aprogressive rockband named after himself, but he soon discovered his own musical voice in the instrumental genre. Arkenstone was influenced by writers such asJ. R. R. TolkienandIan Fleming,and grew up listening to bands likeEmerson, Lake & Palmer,Deep Purple,andYes,as well as listening toclassical music.

Arkenstone went solo and found his own sound inNew Age music.He says that has been greatly aided by technology: "Technology has produced some wonderful tools for making music. The computer allows me to fully orchestrate my pieces and really fine tune them".[2]His music is primarily instrumental. His albums, typically fantasy themed, often come packaged with literature and art. He worked with fantasy novel writerMercedes Lackeyon a few of her albums.[3]Arkenstone and his ex-wifeDianecreated their own record label called Neo Pacifica. In addition to releasing their own music on the label, they have included other bands such as Earth Trybe, Enaid, and the Marquis Ensemble.

He has also composed music for television; channels such as theHistory Channel,theDiscovery ChannelandNBC Sportsinclude his music. He has also written music for trailers and film soundtracks, including the independent filmPRISM,[4]as well as computer game soundtracks such asWorld of Warcraft,Lands of Lore 2and3,Earth and Beyond,Emperor: Battle for Dune,andSpace Siege.He also features on20 Years of Narada Piano.

Arkenstone has earned fiveGrammynominations for his work:In the Wake of the Windin 1992,[5]Citizen of the Worldin 2000,[6]Atlantisin 2004,[7]Fairy Dreamsin 2020, andPangaeain 2022.[8]

Arkenstone has learned to play a variety of musical instruments, includingbouzouki,mandolin,guitar, bass guitar,harp,cello, flute, electronic keyboards, piano, Turkishsaz,pennywhistle,melodica,andpan pipes.He also plays drums and percussion and has performed some vocalizations on his albums.

Arkenstone is also involved in the band Troika; their sound is similar to his solo work. The band members like to remain anonymous, although the compositions are credited to Arkenstone.

His theme "The Journey Begins/Kyla's Ride" was used for the FIFA World Cup France '98 broadcastings intro by the Mexican television networkAzteca.

His song "Papillon (On the Wings of the Butterfly)" was formerly used as background music in Future World atEpcotinWalt Disney World.His song "The Palace" was once used as background music inTomorrowlandat theMagic Kingdomas well. "The Palace" also used to play inTokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland, and another one of his songs, "Valley in the Clouds" was also used.

He signed withDomo Recordsand re-released the albumEchoes of Light and Shadowin 2010.

Arkenstone was a member of the composing team who developed the music forBlizzard Activision'sWorld of Warcraftvideogame'sCataclysmexpansion. Along with Arkenstone, the team consists ofDerek Duke,Glenn Stafford,andNeal Acree.[9]

Discography[edit]

Main article:David Arkenstone discography

References[edit]

  1. ^"Ambient Visions Presents an Interview with David Arkenstone".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-05-16.Retrieved2008-08-17.
  2. ^"About David Arkenstone".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-09-15.Retrieved2008-08-17.
  3. ^"Mercedes Lackey – The Official Website".Archived fromthe originalon May 24, 2012.Retrieved2008-08-17.
  4. ^"PRISM BLOG: Setting the tone".2006-07-19. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-02-02.Retrieved2008-05-10.
  5. ^"Other Grammy Nominees".LA Times.1992-01-10. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-01-16.Retrieved2008-08-17.
  6. ^"The Nominees for the Grammy Awards".SFGate. 2000-01-05.Retrieved2008-08-17.
  7. ^"Grammys edge toward hipness".Journal Sentinel. 2004-12-07. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-05-13.Retrieved2008-08-17.
  8. ^Cohn, Gabe (2021-11-23)."Grammy Awards 2022: The Full List of Nominees".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2023-05-12.
  9. ^Russell Brower (panel moderator) (23 October 2010).Blizzard Sound panel discussion, Blizzcon(Television broadcast). Anaheim, California: Blizzard Entertainment/DirecTV.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Arkenstone&oldid=1233625356"